Scene and Heard: Scene's News Blog

Reward Offered for Return of Donald Trump "Grab 'Em By the Pussy" Banner, For Some Reason

Update: The Donald Trump banner, bearing his infamous and timeless quote "Grab 'em by the pussy," that was included in a stretch of other presidential likenesses showcasing pithy wisdom at Lorain and West 20th didn't last long. It disappeared recently.

Whether it was stolen or removed and disposed of by someone offended at the not-so-veiled insult to POTUS or a passerby who could simply no longer look at the head of the adult-sized troll doll, yellowed after months in the sun, with half of its remaining bleached locks matted against its scalp by a glue-like mixture of feral cat piss and stormdrain runoff, is unclear.

That inconsequential update is made slightly more newsworthy with Brickhaus Partners' offer of a $1,000 reward for the return of the banner.

Andrew Brickman, a developer at the firm that created the display, said it was meant to inspire conversations about civility and awareness. The ironies of the origin and mission of the installation, of course, are multitudinous.

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(Original story 12/1/17): If you've driven or walked around West 20th and Lorain you might have noticed a series of banners spanning a fence. They bear the faces of some notable U.S. Presidents and an accompanying quote from the respective men. On the right edge of each one is the logo and contact information for Brickhaus Partners, a real estate development company.

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." — Abraham Lincoln

"It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets credit." — Harry Truman

"Remember, remember always, that all of us, and you and I especially, are descended from immigrants and revolutionists." — Franklin D. Roosevelt

And a more modern inclusion: "Grab 'em by the [pussy]." — Donald Trump

We hadn't heard much, if anything, about the banners but Brickhaus principle and developer Andrew Brickman must have, because he sent a note to friends and associates explaining his motivation.

I have received multiple questions about my motivation for posting the "Presidents" banner on W. 20th and Lorain Ave. Let me say simply that my motivation was not to fan the flames of rancor and divisiveness currently gripping this country, but, quite the contrary, to show that great leaders (and the banner includes Democrats, Federalists, Republicans and non-presidents) bring out the best in their constituents, and in the country, by creating environments in which dialogue, cooperation, and inclusion lead to progress.

My hope is that this banner will encourage such an environment not only amongst our leaders, but amongst all peoples everywhere.

Surely the kind of constructive dialogue Brickman is seeking will be found in the Facebook comments for this post.